Regan Ware the hero as All Blacks Sevens survive golden point thriller
It doesn’t get much more dramatic than that. With everything on the All Blacks Sevens at the Perth SVNS on Friday night, veteran Regan Ware was the hero that New Zealand needed.
Drawn in the “pool of death” along with traditional SVNS Series heavyweights France, Samoa and Fiji, the New Zealanders were far from perfect early on.
France’s Theo Forner scored a sensational hat-trick as Les Bleus Sevens ran away with an incredible 33-17 win. It was a statement win that left the New Zealanders in a spot of bother.
What a finish!
New Zealand take it on golden point 🇳🇿#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER | @nz_sevens pic.twitter.com/Gs6eRS4NvK
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 26, 2024
Looking to avoid a winless day of play at HBF Park, the men in black went toe-to-toe with Samoa late that night. The first half only added to the drama, too.
There were no points scored. New Zealand were locked at nil-all with Samoa – who lost their first game as well. But a flurry of points sent fans into a frenzy after the break.
Leroy Carter and Tim Mikkelson helped the All Blacks Sevens race out to a 12-nil lead, but two late tries to Uaina Tui Sion and Malakesi Masefau saw Samoa claw their way back.
The match ended in a draw and went to golden point. The five-minute timer ticked dangerously close to full-time, too, but SVNS veteran Regan Ware had the last say.
Leroy Carter sent Ware into a gap down the left edge, and a well-executed in-and-away saw the All Blacks Sevens secure a much-needed win on Australia’s west coast.
“To be fair I was kind of hoping (Leroy Carter) just dummied and went straight through. My legs were buggered out there on the wing,” Ware told RugbyPass. “The old boy just loves to set me up.
“I don’t think I’ve really done much. Just got the ball on the outside and put it down.
“It’s a crucial pool (match), especially with how we’ve got the tournament set up now. We need points, we need wins, and it was good to get a win in that second one after our first loss.”
Fiji’s thrilling 26-21 win over France around 8 pm (local time) on day one saw Ben Gollings’ men top Pool C heading into a decisive final round of pool play on Saturday.
France edged New Zealand with a bonus point, while the Kiwis set just behind them on three competition points. It’s all to play for.
“Like you said ‘pool of death’. All week we’ve been calling it the pool of opportunities. It’s a good opportunity to play three of the best teams in the world,” Ware said.
“Unfortunately we didn’t do well against France but we scraped through with Samoa, another one of the best teams in the world, and now we’ve got another good opportunity to play Fiji first up tomorrow morning.
“Me and the boys are all excited. It doesn’t get much bigger than us versus Fiji in a do-or-die pool.”
By the time New Zealand play Fiji at 1:25 pm (local time) on Saturday, the equation should be somewhat simple – or at the very least, it should be a lot clearer.
France takes on Samoa in the game before. What it will take to finish in the top two should be clear.
But at this stage, it’s not the time to reinvent the wheel. It’s a final-like game for the All Blacks Sevens on Saturday – they just have to win.
“It’s important for us to try and approach every game like a final because you never know which game is going to be your last.
“It’s a good opportunity to get out there and inspire young kids who are out in the ground in All Blacks jerseys on, watching on TV.
“I’ve got three kids back home and hopefully they’ll all be watching, they won’t be asleep.
“It’s a good opportunity to treat every single game we play like a final so that we can inspire people.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments